Stretch belt removal and installation tool

ABSTRACT

A unitary stretch belt installation and removal tool includes an installation component having a slot for positioning the tool on the rim of a pulley and a wedge shaped element to stretch and guide a belt into a pulley groove as the pulley is rotated and further having an integral removal component including a slot and a shaped, generally convex belt guide surface for stretching and guiding a belt from a pulley as the pulley is rotated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a utility application incorporating by reference and claimingpriority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/728,589 filed Nov. 20,2012 entitled “Stretch Belt Removal and Installation Tool”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Briefly the present invention relates to a tool for removal as well asinstallation of elastic, drive belt of the type utilized in variousengine and machine applications such as in automobile engines whichemploy pulleys connected by a drive belt.

In recent years automotive manufacturers have introduced stretch drivebelts in place of fixed length belts to connect pulleys which drivevarious automotive components such as water pumps, power steering pumps,air conditioner compressors and the like. Such components are typicallydriven by a belt which connects a drive pulley to one or more drivencomponent pulleys. Heretofore, such belts were of a fixed length andwould not stretch. Thus, idler rollers or belt tension pulleys wererequired to tighten the belts so that they could efficiently effectoperation between a drive and a driven pulley.

The development and use of belts which stretch elastically when placedbetween drive and driven pulleys eliminates the need for idler rollersor other belt tightening mechanisms, Removal of belt tensioning devicesprovides various beneficial results including reduced weight of themotor vehicle and reduced cost of mechanisms to ensure efficient andappropriate operation of the components in the motor vehicle. Inaddition, the replacement of fixed length belts with stretch belts oftenleads to reduced cost of maintenance. For example, special tools andrepair procedures are often required to replace prior art,non-stretchable, fixed length belts.

The introduction of stretch drive belts has, however, presented aproblem of effecting appropriate stretching of belts for removal frompulleys connected by such belts and for installation of such belts.Various proposals have been made and various tools have been suggestedto effect removal or installation of the belts. Typically a special toolis required to remove a belt from a set of pulleys and a separate toolis required to install a belt on pulleys. Thus, the availability of auniversal tool of simple and unique construction to effect bothinstallation as well as removal of an elastic or stretch belt hasremained a desired tool for automotive repair and for use in othercircumstances where stretch belts are utilized to drive mechanicalcomponents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect the present invention comprises a unitary,integral tool which can be used to easily remove a stretch drive belt aswell as to install a stretch drive belt on pulleys. The tool iscomprised of a unitary wedge device which incorporates two basiccomponent sections. One of the sections is utilized to remove a drivepulley belt. The second section is utilized to install such a belt. Thetwo separate sections are formed as a single or unitary device.

The installation component or element includes a generally a first flat,planar wall with a transverse platform section extending from that firstwall. The platform section includes a generally flat or slightly arcuatetop surface portion with a wedge element extending upwardly from theflat top surface portion. One side of the wedge element is comprised ofthe first wall and the other side forms an acute angle with the firstwall. The wedge element is thus bounded on one side by the first wallwith the platform top surface extending laterally from the other side ofthe wedge element and extending arcuately therefrom.

The transverse platform includes a bottom surface spaced downwardly fromthe top surface portion. The bottom surface includes a first slotgenerally parallel to the first wall and spaced from the first wall. Thefirst slot is bounded on one side by a second wall generally parallel tothe first wall and transversely spaced from the first wall. A firstpulley groove insert element is formed in the bottom surface on theother side of the first slot and spaced from the first and second wallsto define the first slot. The first pulley groove insert element as wellas the first slot may be arcuate to facilitate positioning andengagement of the tool with a pulley rim and associated pulley groove.

To install a drive belt, the first slot is positioned onto the rim of apulley with the pulley groove insert element positioned in theassociated pulley groove. The tool is positioned so that the wedgeelement is placed against the side of a drive belt and the underside ofthe belt is positioned against the top surface portion of the platform.The pulley may then be rotated to stretch and guide the stretch drivebelt over the installation component top surface portion directed by thewedge element into the groove of the pulley. The installation componentmay include a magnetic element in the wall adjacent the slot which ispositioned against the rim of the pulley to maintain the wedge tool inposition as the pulley wheel is rotated to guide the pulley drive beltonto the pulley.

The other or second component of the tool is incorporated on the side ofthe tool opposite from the installation component of the tool. Thesecond or belt removal component is used to remove a stretch drive beltfrom a pulley. Thus, the removal component or element includes a guidemember located on the tool and extending in the opposite direction fromthe installation wedge element. The guide member includes a guidesurface that is generally convex and may be fitted against the undersideof a drive belt to stretch the belt and thereby enable removal of thebelt from the pulley. The component for removal also includes a secondguide slot and second pulley groove insert in a guide block section ofthe tool which extends from the plane of the first wall. This ensuresthat the tool will remain properly engaged with a pulley as the pulleyis turned manually or by means of some drive. The removal component thusincludes the second drive slot which fits on the rim of a pulley as wellas a second pulley groove insert which fits within the groove of thepulley to ensure that the removal component remains in a desiredposition during use. To further facilitate the maintenance of placementof the removal component, a magnet may be included in the face of theremoval component which is opposed to the rim of the pulley.

The installation component and the removal component of the tool areincorporated in a single unitary member and, depending upon the positionof the engagement thereof with the rim of a pulley, will serve to eitherfacilitate installation of or removal of a stretch drive belt on or froma pulley as that pulley is rotated.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved stretchdrive belt removal and installation tool.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shaped stretch drivebelt installation and removal tool incorporated into a single element.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, yet veryefficient, inexpensive, rugged and easy to utilize tool for theinstallation as well as the removal of a stretch drive belt from apulley.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention areset forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

in the detailed description which follows reference will be made to thedrawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention depictingthe unitary wedge tool of the invention wherein the surface of thepulley removal component is displayed;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the unitary wedge shaped tool of anembodiment of the invention wherein the pulley installation component ofthe invention is depicted;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tool shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the left hand side of the tool viewed inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical plan view of the tool depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the tool depicted in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the tool depicted in FIG. 6 takenalong the lines 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of the tool illustrating use for removal of astretch drive belt; and

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of the tool illustrating use for installationof a stretch drive belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, the stretch belt installation and removal toolis comprised of two basic sections or component parts which areintegrated as a unitary element. FIG. 7 depicts, in general, theseparate component sections. Referring to FIG. 7 and the remainingrelated figures, the tool 10 includes a first generally flat, planarouter wall 12. The plane of the flat, planar outer wall 12 represents ageneral demarcation between the installation tool or component and theremoval component of the tool though the components are integrated intoa single tool and parts thereof overlap.

In FIG. 7 the elements or features to the left of the first flat, planarwall 12 and the extension thereof generally comprise the installationcomponent. To the right of the flat, planar outer wall 12 and includingthe features of the flat, planar outer wall 12 there is generallydepicted the removal component.

The installation component comprises a belt support section 14 which isgenerally transverse to the wall 12. Support section 14 includes a firstbelt or upper support surface 16 which is slightly arcuate and is alsogenerally transverse to the first outer wall 12. The support section 14further includes a generally arcuate, lower pulley engagement insert orelement 18 generally parallel to surface 16 and spaced from first wall12 with a first arcuate slot 20 positioned between a second, generallyflat planar pulley rim attachment wall 24 which is generally parallel tothe first wall 12. The flat, planar wall 24 includes a counterbore 26which receives a magnet 28. The region or subsection 22 between firstwall 12 and second wall 24 is a feature of the installation componentand belt removal component of the tool.

Positioned on and extending upwardly from the support surface 16 is abelt wedge guide section or element 30. The wedge guide element 30includes a leading edge 32. The wedge element or wedge 30 expandsbetween the leading edge 32 and back side 35 of the pulley supportsurface 16. The wedge or wedge section 30 is thus bounded by first wall12 and an opposite wedge wall 34 which diverges to form an acute anglewith leading edge 32 at the apex of the angle. The belt support surface16, in combination with the upper side of the rim engagement subsection22 as depicted in FIG. 2 defines a generally arcuate composite face 38which serves, at least in part, as a guide for and to stretch an elasticpulley drive belt as will be detailed below.

With respect to the belt removal component of the unitary tool 10,reference is made to the right hand side of FIG. 7. The right hand sideincludes a guide block section 40 which is formed between second wall 24and a third outside wall 41 that is generally parallel to the first wall12 and second wall 24. A generally convex surface 44 is formed on thelower end or face of the guide block 40. The convex surface 44 is acompound curve in the embodiment depicted wherein the radii associatedwith the elements of the curved surface 44 extend to the right hand sideof FIG. 7. The convex surface 44 serves as a guide to stretch a stretchdrive belt which will slide over that surface 44 when used as describedin more detail hereinafter.

The guide block 40 includes a pulley support face 46 with a rim insert45 with a second rim engagement and guide slot 48 between the rim insert45 of support face 46 and the flat, planar wall 12. Second, guide slot48 is adjacent the flat, planar wall 12, is generally parallel to thefirst guide slot 20, has generally the same configuration and size asthe first guide slot 20 which, as depicted in the figures, is slightlyarcuate.

The flat, planar wall 12 further includes a counterbore 50 with amounted magnetic element 52. The magnetic element 52 as well as thesecond slot 48 and the support face 46 in combination with the surface44 comprise the removal component which engages with a stretch drivebelt to stretch the belt for removal purposes and to also guide the beltduring removal.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate respectively use of the removal andinstallation tool to effect removal and installation of a stretch drivebelt 60 and from and on a pulley wheel 62. Referring to FIG. 8therefore, drive belt 60 may be removed from a pulley wheel 62 byplacement of the removal component in the manner shown wherein theconvex surface 44 is fitted on the underside of the belt 60.Simultaneously, the outer wall 12 is fitted against the outside rim 66of the pulley 62 and the insert 45 of support face 46 is fitted into agroove 64 of the pulley wheel 62 with the pulley rim 66 fitted intosecond slot 48. The pulley wheel 62 may then be rotated in the directionof the arrow in FIG. 8 to stretch the belt 60, direct the belt 60 fromthe pulley 62 and thereby effect ease of removal of the belt 60 as thewheel or pulley 62 is turned.

To effect installation of a stretch drive belt 60, the tool ispositioned as depicted in FIG. 9 with the first slot 20 fitted over rim66 so that the insert 18 may be fitted into groove 64 of the pulley 62.The wedge 30, namely side or wall 34, is fitted against under side ofbelt 60. The belt 60 is initially, at least in part, is looselypositioned for engagement with the pulley 62. The pulley 62 may then berotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9 and as the pulley 62moves over the surface 38, the belt 60 will be stretched and guided byand into engagement with pulley 62. In this manner the belt 60 isdirected into the grooves 64 of pulley 62 as it is stretched oversurface 16 as the pulley 62 is rotated. The magnets 28, 58 as the casemay be, help retain the tool in position on the rim 66 and pulley 62.

Various modifications may be incorporated in the tool. For example,multiple slots may be included in the tool to cooperate with varioustypes and sizes of pulleys. The dimensional characteristics of the toolmay be varied depending upon the size and dimensional characteristics ofthe pulleys and the belts. The arrangement and the specificconfiguration of the elements such as the wedge guide 30 and the convexsurface 44 may be varied. The use of various types of magnetic materialto facilitate maintenance of the tool in position on a pulley may bevaried or the tool may be fabricated from a magnetic material. The toolmay be formed of magnetic material. Thus, the embodiment as described ismerely exemplary and the invention is to be limited only by thefollowing claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool for installing a stretch drive belt andfor removing a stretch drive belt from a pulley comprising: a unitarypulley engaging member for placement intermediate a stretch belt and apulley wheel, said pulley wheel including an outer circumferential rimand a circumferential groove for receipt of a stretch pulley drive beltadjacent the circumferential rim said tool including: (a) a pulley beltinstallation component comprised of a first, generally flat, planarouter wall, a belt support and engagement section extending in a firstdirection transversely from said first wall, said belt support sectioncomprising a generally planar, elastic belt, support surface generallytransverse to said first wall, said belt support section furtherincluding a generally wedge shaped guide projecting from said beltsupport surface, said wedge shaped guide having a leading edge generallyaligned with said first wall and a guide face diverging from saidleading edge and away from said first wall; said belt support sectionfurther including a rim support surface generally, at least in part,parallel to and spaced from said belt support surface; a pulley rimengagement section extending from said belt support and engagementsection in a direction generally opposite to the projecting direction ofsaid wedge shaped guide, said pulley rim engagement section including asecond generally flat planar wall, generally parallel to andtransversely spaced from said first wall in said first direction; saidbelt support section pulley support surface including a slot generallyparallel to said second wall and adjacent said second wall for receivinga rim of a pulley; and (b) an integral pulley belt removal componentcomprising a transverse, unitary extension of said pulley rim engagementsection and extending in a transverse direction opposite said firstdirection; said pulley rim engagement section and extension forming incombination a shaped and curved belt guide removal surface divergingfrom said second wall in a direction opposite said first direction; saidpulley rim engagement section and extension including a third walltransversely spaced from said first wall in the direction of thediverging belt guide removal surface, said pulley rim engagement sectionand extension including a second rim support surface generally parallelto said first rim support surface, said second rim support surfaceextending in the opposite direction from said first support surface,said second support surface including a second slot generally parallelto the first slot and adjacent the first wall.
 2. The tool of claim 1further including a magnetic element in at least one of said first andsecond walls.
 3. The tool of claim 2 including a magnetic element ineach of said first and second walls.
 4. The tool of claim 1 wherein thefirst slot and the second slot have a width for placement of said slotover and on a pulley rim.